Genetic Resistance To Alcohol Linked To Risk Of Heart Disease and Mental Health IssuesA recent study published in the Lancet eBioMedicine found that the genes that protect against heavy drinking are linked to other health diseases such as heart disease , migraines, epilepsy, allergies and mental health issues among others, which can increase the risk of such conditions.
According to the study, the primary enzymes responsible for alcohol metabolism are alcohol dehydrogenases (ADHs) and aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs).
Reaction to AlcoholThe study says that these ‘lightweight genes’ tend to trigger reactions to alcohol, like nausea, thereby preventing overconsumption.
However, the study says that these genes might have a role in certain health conditions such as heart disease, mental health issues, migraines, allergies, epilepsy and others.
The study was conducted by a research group centered at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine.
Genetic Resistance To Alcohol Linked To Risk Of Heart Disease and Mental Health Issues
A recent study published in the Lancet eBioMedicine found that the genes that protect against heavy drinking are linked to other health diseases such as heart disease , migraines, epilepsy, allergies and mental health issues among others, which can increase the risk of such conditions.
For the study, the researchers studied the genetic records of more than 3 million people and analysed their DNA. According to the study, the primary enzymes responsible for alcohol metabolism are alcohol dehydrogenases (ADHs) and aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs).
Alcohol Metabolism
Some people have certain single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the alcohol dehydrogenase 1B (ADH1B) and 1C (ADH1C) genes that change their amino acid sequence which helps them metabolise alcohol to acetaldehyde at a faster rate. Similarly, people with coding polymorphisms in aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) convert acetaldehyde to acetate more slowly. Both of these polymorphisms influence the unpleasant effects of acetaldehyde concentrations thereby reducing alcohol consumption and acting as protective factors against the development of Alcohol Use Disorder and alcohol-related health problems, such as alcohol-related liver disease and cancer. The researchers focused on the SNPs.
Reaction to Alcohol
The study says that these ‘lightweight genes’ tend to trigger reactions to alcohol, like nausea, thereby preventing overconsumption. However, the study says that these genes might have a role in certain health conditions such as heart disease, mental health issues, migraines, allergies, epilepsy and others. But, the researchers haven’t been able to find the exact link and it requires further investigation.
The study was conducted by a research group centered at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine. According to a report in UC San Diego Today, Sandra Sanchez-Roige, the corresponding author and associate professor at the UC San Diego School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry said, “The people who have the minor allele variant of the SNP convert ethanol to acetaldehyde very rapidly. And that causes a lot of negative effects.” She went on to say that the resulting nausea eclipses any pleasurable effects of alcohol-think of a bad hangover that sets in almost immediately.
According to a report in UC San Diego Today, she said their study opens numerous doors for future research, chasing down possible connections between the alcohol-protective alleles and conditions that have no apparent connection with alcohol consumption.
“Understanding the underlying mechanisms of these effects could have implications for treatments and preventative medicine,” Sanchez-Roige said.
(With inputs from agencies)
